Mbali Ngcamu had every reason to throw in the towel. Instead, she decided to become a hero in graduation robes.
Stellenbosch, South Africa (30 March, 2023) — 62-year-old Mbali Ngcamu has never been one to give in to adversity. Even after her radiography career was cut after she became visually impaired. Even after losing her home alongside others during the KZN flooding last year. Even after almost losing her life to a thyroid condition.
Where most people would see the end of the road, Ngcamu decided to put one foot in front of the other.
And this week, her moment arrived with the ultimate main character energy! She walked Stellenbosch University’s stage earning her graduation and rocking her robes. How did she keep on keeping on? She says simply:
“I was not ready to give up.” — Mbali Ngcamu
But, this isn’t the first time the student of all trades turned to education when dire straights came about. In fact, it’s only the most recent notch on her belt.
When Times Got Tough, She Turned to The Books, And The Greater Good
After her career as a radiographer was no longer an option due to her visual impairment, she opened a bakery to support her family. However, due to the “oppressive and discriminatory” treatment of African businesswomen, it closed.
This only inspired her to help other women entrepreneurs, where she completed a BA in Social Sciences and a BCom in Small Business Development.
Kicking up her knowledge further, Ngcamu went on to enroll for a postgrad Diploma in Disability Studies at UCT to focus specifically on disabled women entrepreneurs; forging paths for ways to help more people with disabilities. After that, she went on to start her Masters of Philosophy in Inclusion Innovation—a testament to her self-appointed duty to study with all of us in mind, much like Dr Jeffery.
However, a fork in the road emerged—a thyroid condition that almost took her life. Of course, being Ngcamu, as soon as she was healthy, she decided to study nutrition to figure out food solutions for everyone.
This led her to Stellenbosch, where she opted to investigate how fermented foods like cabbage impact our bodies, and if there are food security solutions for the country that can come of this.
That’s when the flooding erupted in Kwa-Zulu Natal, leaving her home destroyed and her assistive laptop lost.
“Only a visually impaired person will understand what it means to try and get by without the software.” — Mbali Ngcamu
Ngcamu’s plan of action? Relocate to the Western Cape, get assistance from the faculty and push on for her Msc degree. And that’s exactly what led her to that graduation stage.
Ngcamu’s story may not be your typical graduation fairytale, but the best heroes never come from those types of tales. Next stop: a PhD.
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